Like all of you, when I saw the video that captured the death of George Floyd while in custody of Minneapolis Police Officers on May 25, I was shocked and horrified. It once again put a spotlight on law enforcement and how we interact with people of color. I cannot or will not speak for other agencies, but I will speak for the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.
Many may dispute whether this is a Wright County problem. It is. We’re a growing community which will continue to become more diverse. My office will embrace that diversity. As a community, we need to recognize the issue of systemic racism and come together along the lines of human dignity, understanding, honesty and compassion to create a safe, healthy environment for everyone.
Members of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office have undergone extensive and ongoing training in de-escalation, conflict management and diversity to name a few. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office seeks transparency, compassion and honesty in dealing with all citizens. The members of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office are not just tasked with “keeping the peace”. We are also members of the community with our own families and friends.
To read Sheriff Deringer’s full statement, get the Maple Lake Messenger today!